This paper describes a theoretical device called a Petroleum Synthesizer, which absorbs the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and converts it into a synthetic petroleum fuel. The device has four parts: First, a CO2 Scrubber using sodium carbonate reversibly absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere. Simultaneously, a Hydrogen Generator separates water electrolytically to produce hydrogen (H2). Third, a Carbon Monoxide Generator mixes the H2 and the CO2 over a nickel catalyst, changing the constituents into carbon monoxide (CO) and water. Finally, the CO and additional H2 are combined in a cobalt-catalyst Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) Processor to produce gaseous and liquid petroleum products. Calculations show that one watt of electricity supplied for one year would allow the Synthesizer to create 0.420 kg of petroleum products, and absorb 1.314 kg of CO2 from the atmosphere. An acre of solar voltaic panels powering Synthesizers could produce 46,000 kg, or about 14,000 gallons, of petroleum products per acre per year, and absorb 140,000 kg of CO2. By contrast, an acre of corn produces less than 400 gallons of ethanol per year.
Co-methanation of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide on nickel catalyst suspended in inert solvent.